Apparatus for method of recording a location of an object having an externally viewable identifier
First Claim
1. Apparatus for recording a location of an object having an object identifier, the apparatus comprising:
- camera means for capturing an image of the object identifier;
computer processing means connected to the camera means which receives the captured image of the object identifier and processes the image to identify characters of the object identifier;
locator means for providing an indication of the location of the object; and
output means for outputting information comprising the characters of the object identifier as identified by the computer processing means together with the indication of the location of the object as provided by the locator means;
wherein the apparatus is mountable on a vehicle and thereby transportable about a vicinity in which is situated an object to be located;
the camera means can capture the image of the visible object identifier on the object once located;
the locator means gives an indication of the position of the object once located; and
the output means outputs information regarding the object identifier and the position of the object, such information being storable in a computer database whereby the location of the object can be subsequently determined by input into the database of the characters of the object identifier on the object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for a method of recording a location of an object having an externally viewable identifier includes a camera for capturing an image of the object identifier and a computer connected to the camera for receiving and processing the object image to identify characters of the object identifier. A locator provides an indication of the location of the object. Means are provided for outputting information, including the characters of the object identifier and the indication of the object location. The outputted information can be stored in a computer database for subsequent determination of the location of the object. The apparatus can be mounted on a vehicle for enhanced mobility.
16 Citations
18 Claims
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1. Apparatus for recording a location of an object having an object identifier, the apparatus comprising:
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camera means for capturing an image of the object identifier;
computer processing means connected to the camera means which receives the captured image of the object identifier and processes the image to identify characters of the object identifier;
locator means for providing an indication of the location of the object; and
output means for outputting information comprising the characters of the object identifier as identified by the computer processing means together with the indication of the location of the object as provided by the locator means;
whereinthe apparatus is mountable on a vehicle and thereby transportable about a vicinity in which is situated an object to be located;
the camera means can capture the image of the visible object identifier on the object once located;
the locator means gives an indication of the position of the object once located; and
the output means outputs information regarding the object identifier and the position of the object, such information being storable in a computer database whereby the location of the object can be subsequently determined by input into the database of the characters of the object identifier on the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of recording a location of an object having an object identifier, the method comprising:
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conveying around a vicinity in which the object is situated an apparatus having camera means, computer processing means, location means and output means;
using the camera means of the apparatus to capture an image of the object identifier;
using the computer processing means of the apparatus to process the captured image to identify characters of the object identifier;
using the locator means of the apparatus to provide an indication of the location of the object; and
outputting from the apparatus to be stored in a computer database information comprising the characters of the object identifier as determined by the computer processing means of the apparatus linked with the location indication provided by the locator means. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A vehicle mounted apparatus for determining location information related to a location of one or more objects bearing an object identifier having one or more object identifying characters, the one or more objects disposed adjacent a location identifier having one or more location identifying characters, the apparatus comprising:
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imaging means for obtaining an image of the object identifier and for obtaining an image of the location identifier;
a processor coupled at least to the first and second imaging devices for processing the object identifier to determine the object identifying characters, and for processing the location identifier to determine the location identifying characters; and
a wireless communication device for transmitting information indicative of the object identifying characters and the location identifying characters. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification